COMMUNAL NESTING AND SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN THE MICROENDEMIC GECKO FROM MEXICO Phyllodactylus delcampoi (GEKKOTA: PHYLLODACTYLIDAE)

Phyllodactylus consists of nocturnal, oviparous geckos that inhabit rocky areas in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, including Mexico. Despite their abundance, knowledge about their natural history is scarce. Here, we documented some reproductive aspects of P. delcampoi, a microendemic gecko from the tropical dry forests of Guerrero, Mexico. We found a communal nest with 18 eggs inside a granite rock crevice. Although communal nesting is known in various gecko species, this is the first documented case in a Mexican lizard species. Communal nesting may be associated with rocky habitats and high individual abundance, as observed in the study species. Furthermore, we found an adult individual that frequently remained close to the surroundings of the community nest, which suggests parental care in P. delcampoi. Additionally, we recorded morphometric measurements to determine sexual dimorphism and found that males are larger and heavier than females.